Stalked Bur Grass

Appearance

Mature "Tragus racemosus" plants are typically 0.5-1.5 ft. tall with clustered stems.

Leaves are mostly cauline and arranged in a distichous manner. They are typically 1.5-4 mm long and not contain auricles. There is a distinct separation between the leaf blade and the leaf sheath.

Leaf blades are linear and filiform with parallel venation. They are typically 0.5-5.5 cm long and 1.5-4mm wide. The surface of the leaf is mostly glabrous with ligules present.

Branches are typically 2.1-4.8 mm long, with 2-5 spikelets paired at rachis nodes. Flowers can be found attached to branches with racemouse inflorescence. They contain 3 yellow anthers between 0.6-0.8 mm and 2 white stigmas. Proximal spikelets are 3.8-6.6 mm, second spikelets are 2.3-6.6 mm, and the third and fourth spikelets are 0.8-4.2 mm. Each spikelet contains one floret with smooth lemma. Each lemma contains 3 veins.

Unlike other members of the "Tragus" genus who have a chromosome count of 2n=20, "Tragus racemosus" has a chromosome count of 2n=40.

"Tragus racemosus," along with other members in the "Tragus" species, utilizes C4 photosynthesis.

Distribution

"Tragus racemosus" is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It has been specifically identified in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

"Tragus racemosus" is an introduced species to North and South America and has been found in established populations in Arizona where it grows in sandy soil. It can occasionally be found in New England. Accounts of "Tragus racemosus" on the Western coast of the United States have been in manmade or disturbed habitats such as dump sites or construction sites and have not resulted in established populations. It has been reported in New Mexico and Texas, but these reports have since been contributed to confusion with a similar grass species of the same genus, "Tragus berteronianus."

Habitat

"Tragus racemosus" is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It has been specifically identified in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

"Tragus racemosus" is an introduced species to North and South America and has been found in established populations in Arizona where it grows in sandy soil. It can occasionally be found in New England. Accounts of "Tragus racemosus" on the Western coast of the United States have been in manmade or disturbed habitats such as dump sites or construction sites and have not resulted in established populations. It has been reported in New Mexico and Texas, but these reports have since been contributed to confusion with a similar grass species of the same genus, "Tragus berteronianus."

Uses

Because "Tragus racemosus" is a grass, it can be used to reduce soil erosion in areas where it is native to.

Species of the "Tragus" genus, including "Tragus racemosus", are not suitable grasses for grazing. If these plants are found in abundance, it could suggest overgrazing, in which the other grasses suitable for grazing are eaten, eliminating competition and allowing "Tragus racemosus" to grow in larger quantities.